O, how he's growing: 10-11 Months

11 Months

Oscar went big on his 11 month birthday, and celebrated by taking his 11th flight that very day. He's become a seasoned air traveler in his short, little life, since in addition to our usual trips to see family, he gets to come with me on my work trips. His grandma Bates is so great to meet us there and play with Oscar while I am in meetings and then I confuse the poor boy by popping in to nurse him, then turning around and leaving right afterwards.

Enjoying his first Chicago deep-dish on his 11 month bday

It's been Oscar's month for separation anxiety.  Since Finn experienced this earlier, I thought we just bypassed it altogether. But learning to call me "Mama" last month seems to be coming in handy these days and we're hearing it an awful lot.  This boy.  I become putty in his hands when I get home, (or back to the hotel room) and he sprint crawls over to me, "Ma-ma-ma-ma-ma," with a giant grin on his face. If I go into another room it's not long before I hear him fussing and calling, "Ma-ma! Ma-ma!" and he comes looking for me.  There were a couple weeks there where I couldn't even set him down without a dramatic display of emotion.  Oscar is in an attachment phase, and during the past month he's also bonded a lot more with his papa, and learned to say his name too.  When Papa comes home, Oscar gets so excited, starts pumping his legs and and lunges towards him with a big wide-mouthed smile. He really loves his interactions with his dad.

                            

He definitely bonded with Grandma in Chicago and learned to call her, "Ah-ma." He didn't much like it when she left the room either. 

Oscar is a total sweetheart. He gives the best little loves, laying his head on our chest or shoulder, and slobbery kisses. He loves to be held. I can't get over the sweetness of his little face.

Oscar this month:

• Got into the groove with sleeping through the entire night without nursing. For like four days. With a lot of disturbances this month (teeth, illness, separation anxiety) he's been a super early riser. BUT. We're still getting the longest stretches of sleep we have yet!
• Endured a bout of roseola with a really high fever for a few days, followed by a rash
• Traveled to salt lake city, experienced his first snow, and got a lot of time with his grandparents, cousins and second cousins since we were gathered there for a family wedding.
• Is walking all over the house with his little push cart, and fast too.

                             

• Can walk just holding onto one of our fingers, with one of his hands.
• Took 1 independent step
• Says ma-ma all the time, in context
• Started to say "A-ba" and then"Ba-ba" for Papa
• Had a cold, with some wheezing : (
• Got his 7th tooth, on the bottom
• Started waving "hi" to people who are walking by on the street below 
• Started singing along to songs playing from his activity table
• He loves music and dancing. My favorite move is when he picks up one leg at a time, stepping in place.
• Loves to eat pineapple, bananas, papa's beans, the crusts of Finns PB&Js. He is so excited that he gets to share our big-people food a lot of the time now. And always pursues our food with vigilence.

I've noticed a pattern with my monthy Oscar entries, and that is that we're not sleeping well.  He's just a light sleeper.  If there anything going on, it disturbs his sleep whether its a cold, a tooth coming, missing his mama, or learning to crawl/ stand/ say a word etc. It's always something!  So we're still waiting for that golden period where the whole family gets the sleep we need. We definitely expected to be there by now based on prior parenting experience!

This kid is so much fun, and he takes sleep deprivation in stride for the most part.  He's a happy, affectionate fellow.  He loves going out on adventures, and this month has been action-packed. 

We've had lovely weather, which has meant a lot of playground time, the beach, and going to the zoo as well.  He's getting more and more participatory, especially at the playground.

He likes to climb all over the play structures, over bridges, up and over barriers, and cruise along walls.
                                       

                                           
                                           

Oscar is so cute in the tub. I love watching his naked little booty play and splash.

             

Although his separation anxiety was peaking during our trip to Utah (perhaps exacerbated by mom taking off to enjoy the mountains a few times), Oscar was excited to hang out with a lot of adoring fans.

                               
                                  

He got to meet Tobler, my cousin's baby who is 6 months younger (which just so happens to be the age difference between his father and me). Here's to hoping Oscar gets lots of opportunities to have fun with Tobler in the future.  Hangouts with my cousin/ Tobe's dad are some of my favorite memories of childhood!

                                      

                       

We got together with McMillan cousins a couple days and Oscar was entertained by their shenanigans. What a crew of handsome boys!

It's so much fun to have family around, and although Oscar was wary and reluctant to let go of mom, he couldn't help but love these people.

Enjoying the view from great grandma Tobler's condo

Plane nap on the way home

Back at home there were many more adventures to be had.  Deshelving items is Oscar's forte these days, so you can imagine how he shines at the library.

We had such a lovely picnic one sunny afternoon. Oscar crawled all over the grass and up the hill, trying to snag flowers that were growing everywhere (and all the picnic food).  He absolutely loves playing outside.

                            

                            

Not long till the big 1 Year!  This Oscar has brought me so much joy. I so enjoy watching him grow and develop. It thrills me every time I see him do something new, which these days is almost every day!